OVERVIEW

Chemical oceanography is a 6 credits theoretical teaching held in the second semester.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide the current status of knowledge on the chemical composition of the seawater and of the processes that occur in the marine environment changing the distribution of the main chemical species.The student will acquire the ability to evaluate the measurements of the chemical composition of marine waters, in relation to spatial and temporal distribution and biological activities.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the chemical composition of the  seawater and of the processes that occur in the  marine environment changing the distribution of the main chemical species. The student will acquire the ability to evaluate the measurements of the chemical composition of marine waters using the correct terms, in relation to spatial and temporal distribution and biological activities.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge  of  inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry main topics.

TEACHING METHODS

The course amounts to 6 CFU and  consists of lectures divided into 2-hour lessons based on the academic calendar. Each lecture covers the main concepts and topics of the course content  by the use of PowerPoint presentations. Appropriate references to parts of course textbooks and suggested references are provided at each lecture.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Historical background on the evolution of chemical oceanography.

2. Composition of seawater. 

2.1 Properties of water and seawater as an electrolyte solution.

2.2 Major elements, Salinity, definition and measurement ;Use of salinity as a conservative tracer of ocean circulation; Chemical tracers (CFC, 3H, He,  18O).

2.3 Nutrients.  Nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon cycle.  Use of nutrients as chemical tracers. Trace elements as micronutrients.

2.4 Classification and distribution of organic matter. Primary production and chlorophyll photosynthesis.

2.5 Solubility of gases in seawater; gas flux at atmosphere-ocean interface; Inert gases; O2 and CO2.

2.6 Classification, residence times and biogeochemical cycles of minor and trace elements.

3 Chemical equilibria in marine environment: equilibria of carbonate species; redox chemistry; metal complexing reactions.

4. Speciation of metal in sea water by model approach and by analytical methods.

5  Boundaries (surface microlayer and water column-sediment interface)

6 Solid phases

6.1 Suspended particulate matter and sediments.

6.2 Trace elements-solid phase reactions: adsorption, ionic exchange, precipitation and co-precipitation reactions.

6.3 Solid speciation and selective extraction procedures.

7  Effects of trace metals towards marine biota: speciation, availability, uptake, toxic effects

8. Standard operational procedures of sampling and analysis. Data pre treatment.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frank Millero Chemical Oceanography 4 °edition, 2013 CRC Press

Susan M. LibesIntroduction to marine biogeochemistry,  2009, Academic Press

Power Point presentations  and bibliographic references available at chemical oceanography  teaching aulaweb page.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLA FRANCESCA RIVARO (President)

FRANCISCO ARDINI

MARIA CARMELA IANNI (President Substitute)

MARCO GROTTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination. There will be 2 exam sessions available for the winter session (mid-January-February) and 5 exam sessions available for the summer session (June, July and September). 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam consists in an oral test. The oral examination is always conducted by two teachers and lasts for at least 30 minutes. In this way, the Commission is able to verify the achievement of the objectives of teaching by asking questions about the program of the course. The ability to expose the arguments clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated. When goals are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen his knowledge and to ask further explanation to the teacher. Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the course and reiterated during lectures.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Class attendance is recommended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.